Systems and methods wherein a transfer code facilitates a transaction between a seller and a buyer

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided to facilitate a transaction between a seller interested in selling an item and a buyer interested in making a purchase. According to one embodiment, a transfer code is transmitted to the buyer. The transfer code is then received from the seller as an indication that the buyer has received the item. After the transfer code is received, it may be arranged for the seller to receive payment in exchange for providing the item to the buyer. In another embodiment, it is arranged for the buyer to purchase the item from the seller, and a transfer code is transmitted to the seller. In this case, the transfer code may be received from the buyer as an indication that he or she has received the item from the seller. According to another embodiment, a delivery code is received from the seller after it is arranged for the buyer to purchase the item. After the delivery code is received, it is arranged for the seller to receive payment in exchange for providing the item to the buyer.

1 . A method of facilitating a transaction between a seller interested in selling a secondary market item and a buyer interested in making a purchase, comprising: 
 receiving a binding seller offer, including a seller address, associated with the item;    receiving a binding buyer offer, including a buyer address, associated with the buyer;    matching the binding seller offer and the binding buyer offer based at least in part on the seller address and the buyer address;    arranging for the buyer to purchase the item from the seller;    transmitting a transfer code to the buyer after the buyer has provided payment for the item;    transmitting verification information to the seller enabling the seller to validate the transfer code;    receiving the transfer code from the seller as an indication that the buyer has received the item; and    after said receiving, arranging for the seller to receive payment in exchange for providing the item to the buyer,    wherein at least one of said transmitting the transfer code to the buyer and said receiving the transfer code from the seller are performed via a communications network.    
     
     
         2 . A method of facilitating a transaction between a seller interested in selling an item and a buyer interested in making a purchase, comprising: 
 transmitting a first transfer code to the buyer;    receiving a second transfer code from the seller as an indication that the buyer has received the item, the second transfer code being associated with the first transfer code; and    after said receiving, arranging for the seller to receive payment in exchange for providing the item to the buyer.    
     
     
         3 . A computer readable medium storing instructions for facilitating a transaction configured to direct a processor to: 
 transmit a first transfer code to the buyer;    receive a second transfer code from the seller as an indication that the buyer has received the item, the second transfer code being associated with the first transfer code; and    after receiving, arranging for the seller to receive payment in exchange for providing the item to the buyer.    
     
     
         4 . A method for completing a transaction with a seller interested in selling an item, comprising: 
 arranging via a controller to purchase the item from the seller;    arranging to provide payment for the item;    after said arranging to provide payment, receiving a transfer code from the controller;    receiving the item from the seller; and    after said receiving the item, transmitting the transfer code to the seller as an indication that the seller has provided the item.    
     
     
         5 . A method for completing a transaction with a buyer interested in making a purchase, comprising: 
 arranging via a controller to sell an item to the buyer;    providing the item to the buyer;    after said providing, receiving a transfer code from the buyer;    transmitting the transfer code to the controller as an indication that the item has been received by the buyer; and    after said transmitting, receiving payment in exchange for providing the item to the buyer.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 verifying the transfer code received from the buyer.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said verifying comprises: 
 verifying the transfer code based on verification information received from the controller prior to said receiving the transfer code.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said verifying comprises: 
 verifying the transfer code based on verification information received from the controller in response to a verification request sent to the controller after said receiving the transfer code.    
     
     
         9 . A computer readable medium storing instructions for facilitating a transaction configured to direct a processor to: 
 arrange via a controller to sell an item to a buyer;    arrange for the item to be provided to the buyer;    receive a transfer code from the buyer;    transmit the transfer code to the controller as an indication that the item has been received by the buyer; and    receive an indication that payment was made in exchange for the item being provided to the buyer.    
     
     
         10 . A method of facilitating a transaction between a seller interested in selling an item and a buyer interested in making a purchase, comprising: 
 arranging for the buyer to purchase the item from the seller;    transmitting a transfer code to the seller;    receiving the transfer code from the buyer; and    arranging for the seller to receive payment in exchange for providing the item to the buyer.    
     
     
         11 . A method of facilitating a transaction between a seller interested in selling an item and a buyer interested in making a purchase, comprising: 
 arranging for the buyer to purchase the item from the seller;    receiving a delivery code from the seller; and    after said receiving, arranging for the seller to receive payment in exchange for providing the item to the buyer.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 verifying the delivery code.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 prior to said arranging, verifying that the buyer has received a delivery associated with the delivery code.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 based on said receiving, providing a benefit to the seller.    
     
     
         15 . A method of facilitating a transaction between a seller interested in selling an item and a buyer interested in making a purchase, comprising: 
 receiving information associated with the transaction;    transmitting a transfer code to the buyer after the buyer has provided payment for the item;    receiving the transfer code from the seller as an indication that the buyer has received the item; and    after receiving the transfer code from the seller, arranging for the seller to receive payment in exchange for providing the item to the buyer.    
     
     
         16 . A method of facilitating a transaction between a seller interested in selling an item and a buyer interested in making a purchase, comprising: 
 receiving an indication of a first preferred method of delivery from the seller;    receiving an indication of a second preferred method of delivery from the buyer; and    based on the first preferred method of delivery and the second preferred method of delivery, arranging for the buyer to purchase the item from the seller.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first preferred method of delivery is associated with a first location and a first maximum distance, the second preferred method of delivery is associated with a second location and a second maximum distance, and said arranging comprises: 
 determining a third location based on the first location, the first maximum distance, the second location, and the second maximum distance.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 based on the first preferred method of delivery and the second preferred method of delivery, arranging for the item to be delivered to the buyer.    
     
     
         19 . A computer readable medium storing instructions for facilitating a transaction configured to direct a processor to: 
 receive an indication of a first preferred method of delivery from the seller;    receive an indication of a second preferred method of delivery from the buyer; and    arrange, based on the first preferred method of delivery and the second preferred method of delivery, for the buyer to purchase the item from the seller.    
     
     
         20 . A method of facilitating a transaction between a seller interested in selling an item and a buyer interested in making a purchase, comprising: 
 arranging for the buyer to purchase the item from the seller;    receiving complaint information from at least one of the buyer and the seller; and    based on the received complaint information, applying a penalty to at least one of the buyer and the seller.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said receiving comprises: 
 providing a prompt requesting the complaint information; and    receiving the complaint information in response to the prompt.    
     
     
         22 . A computer readable medium storing instructions for facilitating a transaction configured to direct a processor to: 
 arrange for a buyer to purchase the item from the seller;    receive complaint information from at least one of the buyer and a seller; and    apply a penalty, based on the received complaint information, to at least one of the buyer and the seller.    
     
     
         23 . A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method for facilitating a transaction, said method comprising: 
 arranging for the buyer to purchase the item from the seller;    transmitting a transfer code to the buyer after the buyer has provided payment for the item;    receiving the transfer code from the seller as an indication that the buyer has received the item; and    after said receiving, arranging for the seller to receive payment in exchange for providing the item to the buyer.